Steven and I met at World of Beer in Orlando, my hometown, and his college town. My best friend, Delanee Bogan, who I lived with at the time, convinced me to join her and her classmates for beers. I had just come home from a long day at work and was reluctant to meet some random pre-law UCF students. However, I couldn't turn down a beer after a long day. I put on ripped jeans, a crop top, and a baseball hat. When Delanee and I arrived, I noticed a guy in a suit standing outside. My first thought was "who is that man?". She briefly introduced us and we walked into the bar meeting with her other classmates. Steven and I sat next to each other, ordered our beers, and immediately began talking. As the conversation continued I couldn't stop thinking about how I'd never had a connection that was so natural and comfortable. I ran to the bathroom with Delanee and told her how cute and charming he was but most importantly how I regretted my wardrobe choice. The night continued and we eventually said our goodbyes. I went home thinking about Steven and was bummed that he didn't ask for my number. Was he not interested? Was I coming off too strong? I figured I probably wouldn't see him again and I didn't have anything to lose so I told Delanee to give him my number. Delanee sent him my number saying that I would like him to call me after work the next day. Sure enough, as soon as I clocked out I received his call. I was so nervous to talk to someone that I just met - a stranger. He ended up asking me for a date for the following day. I couldn't turn down this since I wanted to see him again. Steven arrived at my apartment with flowers and a smile. He walked me to his car and of course opened the door like the gentleman he is. Our date consisted of Cuban food, a bookstore adventure, and Coldstone. After this date, we became inseparable. Two weeks later I met his parents, and three months later we moved in together, and a year later I moved my whole life to Miami with the love of my life. Here we are, almost 6 years later about to say I do.

Back in 2017, while I was attending UCF, if someone had asked me whether I thought I would meet the love of my life at a World of Beer, in Orlando, I might have scoffed. Yet, on one summer night in that inconspicuous, open-air bar, I would. The journey began after taking a final exam. I invited a couple of people that I had met during the class if they might want to celebrate with some drinks. When the day we had agreed upon finally rolled around, one of my classmates that I had invited, Delanee Bogan, reached out to ask if she could invite her roommate. Thinking nothing of it I told her of course. Rushing to be there on time after leaving work, I hadn’t even put much thought into who Delanee might bring along. But, when I arrived and stepped out of my car, the short girl wearing a converse baseball cap with her hair in a ponytail, a burgundy tank top, and jeans, immediately caught my eye. Kicking myself for being too lazy to change out of the suit I was wearing for work that day, and worried that I might come off as stuck-up, I walked over to introduce myself. Samantha and I immediately struck up a fast-paced conversation. She sat next to me at our little high top table. Trying to play it cool, I pretended to not be excited over such a simple gesture that probably did not mean anything. Our conversation continued throughout the night, almost to the point where I felt bad for ignoring the other people that were sitting with us. Even though I was clearly interested in Sam, I failed to notice the hints that she was leaving for me, such as letting her hair down, laughing at all of my silly stories and jokes, and focusing on me throughout the whole night. Content with having had a good night, and not wanting to push things too far, I decided to not ask her for her phone number and said my goodbyes, thinking nothing more would come of the situation. Luckily for me, Sam had other plans. The very next evening, as I was coming home from work, I got a phone call from Delanee. During our chat about the previous night, Delanee asked me what I thought of Sam. I tried to play it cool by saying that she seemed like a nice girl, and that I wouldn’t mind hanging out with her again. I was completely taken aback when Delanee told me that Sam was interested in me, and that Sam had asked her roommate to give me her phone number. I think Delanee could tell that I was shocked because she laid out a game plan for me: I was to call Sam later that night when she got off of work and ask her if she would like to hang out again. The hours ticked by as I nervously waited, trying to distract myself, until I was supposed to call Sam. A part of me thought that I might be getting pranked: how could such a beautiful and sweet girl be single? How could she make the first move? Did this kind of thing even happen in real life? My best friend, Jose Caymares, helped to calm me down, and kept me distracted while I waited to make the fateful call. Then, finally, the clock struck 11 p.m. I dialed the number provided by Delanee. Did I look desperate by trying to call right at 11? Then, I heard a voice. “Hello?” Sam asked. I was relieved to hear her voice, and began to channel the same coolness that I had in our first meeting. We spoke over the phone for a few minutes before I mustered the courage to ask her out. I don’t remember how that conversation went, since I was so nervous, but I remember telling her about where I would take her for our date, and about how excited I was to be seeing her again. Our first date was amazing. I couldn’t get enough time with Sam, even though we had extended our date not once, but two times. Suddenly, the days began to fly by. Sam and I spent almost every day together, with-our relationship beginning to bloom into something truly incredible. I am still amazed at how such an innocuous, otherwise mundane night of hanging out with friends has evolved into the love that we share today, which I am sure will only continue to grow.